"The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between." ~ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Prolific and influential eighteenth-century composer
Artists
of all kinds use the power of silence and negative (empty) space in their
compositional techniques to enrich the meaning in their works. And while
musicians spend hours expertly playing or singing the notes in music, they
spend lifetimes perfecting the pauses between notes and appreciating the
qualities of a sustained tone.
We
can all learn from these artistic processes. The creative and positive use of
space and silence is a soft skill that can serve everyone well whether in work
or everyday life. It’s possible to experience greater balance and emphasize
what’s most important. Ideas, insights, and creative solutions to problems come
more easily. The experience of space and silence can give you more energy and
help you get things done. You can become more focused and aware of all the
things happening around you.
"I
always listen to what I can leave out." ~ Miles Davis
(1926-1991) American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer
Several
years ago, I attended a semi-staged production of Mozart’s The Magic
Flute. It’s no wonder that this opera has captivated audiences for more
than 200 years. It was particularly enjoyable to experience it in an intimate
setting with performers, orchestra, and action so close that it felt as if we
were all part of the production.
While The
Magic Flute’s overarching story speaks to the many tests we must face
as we move through life, the real interpretive magic comes through reflection,
awareness, and ever-deeper personal understanding of who we are as human
beings. That experience doesn’t necessarily happen in the notes or dialog, but
rather through the stillness that can be found in everyone’s innermost thoughts
and feelings.
I
also recently heard an interview with Kevin Bacon where he talked about his
role in a new movie. He said that early in his career, he thought the best
roles were the ones with the most lines. He counted his lines to check his
importance. But in the new movie, it turned out that he had very few lines.
When the interviewer asked him about it, he said that he realized at some point
along the way that it’s really not about the number of words, it’s more about
the opportunity to “play between the lines” that’s so meaningful and rewarding.
"Space
is the breath of art." ~Frank Lloyd Wright
(1867-1959) American architect and interior designer
Silence
and space provide breathing room. Just because it might appear to be empty
doesn’t mean that it lacks power.
The
world can be a noisy place. Consider the opportunities you have to experiment
in a creative and positive way with the power of silence: drive your car
without music, set your phone aside for a while, enjoy your home without
music or television for a period of time, take a moment before responding to
what just happened or what was said. Explore the silences between sentences.
“Music
and silence combine strongly because music is done with silence, and silence is
full of music.” ~ Marcel Marceau (1923-2007) French actor and mime artist.
Source: https://bit.ly/386jJHr
Are you interested in
learning more about the creative process and the value of the arts? Check out
my blogs at: https://artsawarenessexpressions.teachable.com/blo... and http://artsawareness.com/blog/
Explore three online
courses designed to help you develop essential soft skills: https://artsawarenessexpressions.teachable.com
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